Trade show trade offs

Image courtesy of premierevision-newyork.com

A few weeks ago I hit the fashion trade shows (Texworld and Premiere Vision) to start the search for components. I had a really discouraging time. It turns out that when you tell manufacturers that you want to put electronics in clothes, some of them A. think you are crazy and B. don’t want to do business with you.

It’s hard enough trying to find vendors and manufacturers when you are starting out because you are purchasing a low number of goods. I previously worked at a huge corporation and the vendors would bring me gifts when they met with me, and were super nice. But now, couple my low minimums with experimental fashion and there was literally some vendor eye rolling and rude behavior. This experience really wasn’t good for my self-esteem.

However, there were some nice vendors so I have a few promising leads.